WORLD BRIEFING | UNITED NATIONS; U.S. Envoy Presses For Iran Sanctions

By NEIL MacFARQUHAR

Published: September 12, 2008

Zalmay Khalilzad, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, urged members of the Security Council on Thursday to approve financial sanctions against Iran. Russia responded that it could decide for itself how to be vigilant about Iranian financial transactions. Mr. Khalilzad expressed regret that tension over Georgia seemed to be spilling into other issues. The exchange came a day after the United States imposed sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, the main national carrier, accusing it of aiding Iran's nuclear and missile programs.